Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A meeting of EU leaders in Brussels yesterday evening failed to endorse Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as the European Commission President. This should be welcomed by all right-thinking people. Through her offer of unconditional support for Israel, she provided political cover for the genocide that continues to unfold in Gaza. By continuing to block a review of Israel's human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement, she is providing economic cover for Israel's genocide and failing to hold it to account, unless there is further information in that regard. She has acted outside of her competency, impugned her office and damaged the credibility of the European Union to act as an agent of peace and a champion of human rights across the world. We spoke earlier about the possibility of a debate in the House. Can the Taoiseach assure the House that the Government will oppose the reappointment of the Commission President?

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